Things to do nearHistoric Columbia River Highway

Completed in 1916, the Historic Columbia River Highway was one of the first paved public roads in the Pacific Northwest and a pioneering achievement in scenic highway design. Engineer Samuel Lancaster drew inspiration from European mountain roads, carving graceful curves into sheer basalt walls so that motorists could experience the gorge rather than simply cross it.

The route passes a remarkable string of waterfalls tumbling off the plateau above. Horsetail Falls drops directly beside the road, while the tiered cascade at Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural site in Oregon. Shorter trails branch off the highway to viewpoints and swimming holes tucked into side canyons.

The western section also connects to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, a federally protected landscape of oak savanna, wildflower meadows, and ancient lava flows that gives the highway its grand backdrop.

For anyone drawn to the intersection of natural grandeur and human ingenuity, the Historic Columbia River Highway remains an essential Oregon journey.